Why is dental check-up mandatory every 3-6 months? The answer is clear: to protect our teeth from decay, gum disease, and other issues we've learned about in dental care education.

Similarly, understanding and maintaining the health of our pelvic floor muscles is crucial, even though many of us haven't been educated on their functions and importance. These muscles, often overlooked, play a significant role in our overall well-being.

Let’s explore the key functions of pelvic floor muscles (PFM) and why they deserve our attention:

1. Support for Internal Organs: The pelvic floor muscles are vital for supporting our internal organs. Women, in particular, need stronger pelvic floor muscles due to factors like the presence of the uterus, pregnancy, and childbirth. A robust pelvic floor helps prevent conditions such as pelvic organ prolapse (bladder, uterus, or rectum dropping), ensuring that these organs remain properly positioned.

2. Control Over Urination and Bowel Movements: These muscles facilitate the smooth passage of urine and stool. They need to relax fully to allow urine to flow and to push stool out without straining. Dysfunction in these muscles can lead to difficulties with these seemingly simple processes.

3. Bladder and Bowel Control: The pelvic floor muscles help hold urine and stool until you can access a bathroom. Proper function of these muscles is essential for maintaining control over these bodily functions, whether for a few minutes or several hours.

4. Sexual Health: Strong and flexible pelvic floor muscles contribute to sexual pleasure and overall sexual health.

Additionally, pelvic floor muscles can influence gastrointestinal health. They may contribute to conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and constipation. Their flexibility is also crucial during childbirth, as they need to expand and relax to allow the baby's head to pass through the birth canal with minimal straining.

• Given their critical role, when should you consider seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist (PFPT)? Much like dental visits, proactive care is essential:
• During Pregnancy: It’s advisable to consult a PFPT after the first trimester to assess the health of your pelvic floor muscles, ensure they can accommodate the growing baby, and prepare for a safe delivery.
• Postpartum: Regardless of whether you had a C-section or a vaginal delivery, follow-up with a PFPT is important. This helps ensure your pelvic floor muscles are functioning properly and prepares you to resume physical activities like exercise or weightlifting comfortably.
• Pre-Menopause: Prior to menopause, a PFPT can assess and address any changes in your pelvic floor muscles due to hormonal shifts. This can help prevent symptoms such as painful intercourse or bladder leakage, which are not a normal part of aging.
• For Gastrointestinal Issues: If you experience persistent constipation or diarrhea with normal test results, consulting a PFPT can be beneficial. Sometimes, retraining the pelvic floor muscles can alleviate these issues.
• For Athletes: Runners, weightlifters, and bodybuilders should see a PFPT to ensure their pelvic floor muscles can handle the demands of high-impact training and prevent negative effects on their performance.

In summary, while pelvic floor physical therapy may not be as widely recognized as dental care, its benefits are substantial. Proactive care from a PFPT can enhance your overall health, prevent complications, and improve your quality of life.

At Advanced Pelvic Health Solutions, we provide a comprehensive program designed to support pregnant women throughout their entire pregnancy journey. Our approach focuses on:

• Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles (PFM).
• Preventing common pregnancy-related issues such as Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ) strain, Pubic Symphysis Pain (PSP), and pelvic instability.
• Ensuring our clients remain active and continue their regular workouts and daily activities without abnormal symptoms. Unlike the common misconception that discomforts like back pain, pelvic pain, or leakage are just part of pregnancy, we believe that pregnancy should be a time of joy, not unnecessary suffering.
• Preparing for a safe labor experience with minimal tearing, as evidence shows that pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT) can significantly reduce the risk of tearing when started during pregnancy.

Following labor, we also assist new mothers in safely resuming their activities with a gradual progression through the fourth trimester.

To support pregnant women and new mothers, we offer exclusive programs and special offers. Contact us today and check out the offer below to learn more and apply for our services.